Published on by Gary Grappo
Published first at Fair Observer on July 17, 2019
Even if the pope’s views on climate change and social inequality might accord with a liberal political agenda, the added baggage isn’t worth it. In his papal encyclical, “Laudato Si’” (“Praise Be”), issued in May 2015, Pope Francis reminded humanity of its responsibility for stewardship of the planet, including addressing the challenge of our times, […]
Published on by Gary Grappo
Published first at Fair Observer on June 18, 2019
After last week’s tanker attacks in the Gulf of Oman, Tehran will need to undertake a sober assessment of its options, which are few, and its prospects, which only get worse. Last week’s attacks on two oil tankers outside the Strait of Hormuz show that for now Tehran is choosing from a very limited playbook […]
Published on by Gary Grappo
Published first at Fair Observer on June 1, 2019
The world would be well-advised to keep in check its hopes of much-needed diplomacy to address the region’s brewing crisis until actually seeing substantive follow up from the pre-Eid al-Fitr summits of Arab and Muslim leaders in Mecca. For three days starting May 30, Saudi King Salman bin Abdul Aziz hosts Arab and Muslim leaders […]
Published on by Gary Grappo
Published first at Fair Observer on May 10, 2019
Iran’s economy is set to plunge and the much strained JCPOA with it. But the Islamic Republic will likely remain defiant. Iran’s announcement on May 8 that it will “partially” withdraw from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) — aka the Iran nuclear deal concluded in 2015 between the Iranians and the P5+1 group […]
Published on by Gary Grappo
Published first at The Cipher Brief on April 16, 2019
Writing a memoir is something of a rite of passage for retiring senior government officials and diplomats. The better ones make a big splash shortly following their release and then slowly fade to the shelves of the local or university library. The Back Channel: A Memoir of American Diplomacy and The Case for Its Renewal […]